A historic railway carriage with extraordinary ties to Winston Churchill and General Eisenhower is returning to the rails after more than five decades.

Pullman Car No. 246 ‘Lydia’, used during crucial wartime strategy meetings ahead of D-Day and later during Churchill’s state funeral in 1965, has been meticulously returned to its original specification by the skilled team at South Devon Railway.

Originally constructed in 1924 by the Midland Railway Carriage & Wagon Company, ‘Lydia’ embodies the golden age of luxury rail travel.

Built for the prestigious Pullman Company, known globally for iconic trains such as the Orient Express, the carriage is a rare and tangible link to Britain’s wartime past and a symbol of enduring craftsmanship.

From this summer, the carriage will operate on journeys through the South Devon countryside, available for private hire, events, and scheduled luxury dining experiences.

‘Lydia’ will now form the centrepiece of a series of curated heritage experiences on the South Devon Railway, including private hires, corporate events, and scheduled fine dining journeys along the scenic line between Buckfastleigh and Totnes.

With its art deco elegance and deep political and cultural resonance, the Pullman offers guests a journey into the heart of British history.

The return of ‘Lydia’ to active service represents more than the restoration of a rail carriage; it is the revival of a legacy that shaped the course of the 20th century.

As the world continues to reflect on the meaning of leadership, resilience, and international cooperation, this iconic carriage offers a unique and moving way to connect with the past.

The South Devon Railway’s recommissioning of ‘Lydia’ ensures that this unique piece of global history is not only preserved but reanimated for a new generation.

Photo credit: I. Yolland.